Mastectomy Swim Shirt

ABSTRACT

A mastectomy swim shirt is provided that is suitable to be worn by a mastectomy patient. In one embodiment, the mastectomy swim shirt includes a shirt body having a material. The material includes an ultraviolet protection factor rating. The mastectomy swim shirt further includes a fastening means disposed on a side of the shirt body. The mastectomy swim shirt also includes a breast prosthetic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application that claims thebenefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/227,727 filed on Jul. 22, 2009,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of clothing and more specifically tothe field of mastectomy swim shirts.

2. Background of the Invention

Breast cancer is a very common form of cancer among women. Mastectomy isa conventional treatment for many breast cancer patients. Mastectomypatients often wear mastectomy swim wear and may forego conventionalswim shirts, since they lack prosthetic pockets. Further drawbacks toconventional swim shirts include difficulties in taking off and puttingon the swim shirts due to pain and/or lack of mobility. Drawbacks ofavailable mastectomy swim wear include exposure to harmful sun rays withmany swim wear designs and minimal coverage for the mastectomy site.Further, mastectomy swim wear lack the additional coverage that a swimshirt may provide.

Consequently, there is a need for improved swim wear for mastectomypatients.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

These and other needs in the art are addressed in one embodiment by amastectomy swim shirt. The mastectomy swim shirt includes a shirt bodyhaving a material. The material includes an ultraviolet protectionfactor rating. The mastectomy swim shirt further includes a fasteningmeans disposed on a side of the shirt body. The mastectomy swim shirtalso includes a breast prosthetic.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as abasis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out thesame purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized bythose skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mastectomy swim shirt withprosthetic pockets, a side fastening means, and a neck opening with ascoop neck configuration;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a mastectomy swim shirt withprosthetic pockets, a neckline fastening means, a neck opening with aturtleneck configuration, and a side fastening means; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a mastectomy swim shirt withprosthetic pockets, a side fastening means, and a neck opening with av-neck configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of mastectomy swim shirt 5 having shirtbody 10, shirt sleeves 15, and neck opening 20. Shirt body 10 and shirtsleeves 15 may be composed of any material suitable for use withmastectomy swim shirt 5. Examples of suitable materials include mesh,fabric, or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the materialis water resistant. In an embodiment, the material includes a waterresistant coating. In embodiments, the material is rated for ultraviolet(UV) protection. In an embodiment, the material is rated with anUltraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). The material may have any desirableUPF rating. In an embodiment, the material has a UPF rating betweenabout 15 and about 24, alternatively between about 25 and about 39, andalternatively about 40 and over, and further alternatively about 50 andover. In some embodiments, colors of the material are selected toprovide for maximum sun protection. In embodiments, shirt body 10 andshirt sleeves 15 are composed of the same material. In alternativeembodiments, shirt body 10 and shirt sleeves 15 are composed ofdifferent materials. Each shirt sleeve 15 may be composed of the samematerial. In alternative embodiments, each shirt sleeve 15 may becomposed of different materials. In other alternative embodiments,mastectomy swim shirt 5 does not have shirt sleeves 15.

Mastectomy swim shirt 5 also includes prosthetic pockets 25. It is to beunderstood that prosthetic pockets 25 are shown in FIG. 1 with dashedlines for illustrative purposes only. For instance, in embodiments,prosthetic pockets 25 are disposed within the material of shirt body 10.Prosthetic pockets 25 may be composed of any material suitable for usewith mastectomy swim shirt 5. In an embodiment, prosthetic pockets 25are composed of mesh, fabric, or any combinations thereof. In someembodiments, prosthetic pockets 25 are secured to shirt body 10.Prosthetic pockets 25 may be secured to shirt body 10 by any suitablemethod. In an embodiment, prosthetic pockets 25 are sewn within thematerial of shirt body 10. In an embodiment, prosthetic pockets 25 aredisposed on mastectomy swim shirt 5 at a location at which breasts of aperson wearing mastectomy swim shirt 5 would be disposed. In alternativeembodiments (not illustrated), mastectomy swim shirt 5 has only oneprosthetic pocket 25. In embodiments, prosthetic pockets 25 have aconfiguration suitable for breast prosthetics (not illustrated) to bedisposed within. In an embodiment, prosthetic pockets 25 facilitatebreast prosthetics of different sizes and/or configurations.

The breast prosthetics may be any prosthetics suitable for use withmastectomy swim shirt 5. In an embodiment, the breast prosthetics areremovable from mastectomy swim shirt 5. The breast prosthetics may beremovable from mastectomy swim shirt 5 by any suitable means. Forinstance, mastectomy swim shirt 5 may have openings (not illustrated)through which the breast prosthetics may be inserted and removed fromprosthetic pockets 25. In some embodiments, the openings are notopenable and closeable but have a sufficient size (i.e., small size) toallow the breast prosthetics to be inserted and removed. In anembodiment, the openings may be openable and closeable. The openings maybe openable and closeable by any suitable means. Without limitation,examples of suitable means include zippers, buttons, hooks andfasteners, and the like. It is to be understood that in some embodimentsmastectomy swim shirt 5 may have one breast prosthetic, or alternativelytwo breast prosthetics.

In some embodiments, the breast prosthetics are not removable frommastectomy swim shirt 5. Any suitable means may be used by which thebreast prosthetics are not removable from mastectomy swim shirt 5. Forinstance, the breast prosthetics may be secured to mastectomy swim shirt5. The breast prosthetics may be secured to mastectomy swim shirt 5 byany suitable means. In an embodiment, the breast prosthetics are securedto prosthetic pockets 25. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated),mastectomy swim shirt 5 does not have prosthetic pockets 25. In suchalternative embodiments, the breast prosthetics may be secured to thematerial of shirt body 10. The breast prosthetics may have any suitablesize and configuration for use with mastectomy swim shirt 5. In someembodiments, mastectomy swim shirt 5 may have breast prosthetics ofdifferent sizes and/or configurations.

In some embodiments, mastectomy swim shirt 5 has a bra (notillustrated). The bra is an internal bra (i.e., built-in) to mastectomyswim shirt 5. In embodiments, the bra includes the prosthetic pockets25. The bra may include any suitable form of bra. In some embodiments,the bra is a shelf bra. The shelf bra is sufficiently disposed tofacilitate breast prosthetics on each side of the bra. In alternativeembodiments (not illustrated), mastectomy swim shirt 5 has additionalfront lining to support the shelf bra.

As further shown in FIG. 1, mastectomy swim shirt 5 includes fasteningmeans 30. Fastening means 30 may include any suitable means forfastening two edges of the material of shirt body 10 together. Withoutlimitation, examples of suitable fastening means 30 include a zipper,buttons, hooks and fasteners, and the like. In the embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 1, fastening means 30 is a zipper. As illustrated,fastening means 30 is on a side 45 of shirt body 10. Without limitation,fastening means 30 disposed on side 45 (or side 50) of mastectomy swimshirt 5 facilitates removal of mastectomy swim shirt 5 from a personwearing mastectomy swim shirt 5. In an embodiment, fastening means 30 isa hidden fastening means (i.e., hidden side zipper). For instance, theside zipper is hidden from view when fastened together. Fastening means30 may extend upwards for any desired length. In an embodiment,fastening means 30 may extend from bottom 55 of shirt body 10 to anysuitable position along side 45 (or side 50) of shirt body 10. In anembodiment, fastening means 30 extends to an upper position 60 aboutproximate to prosthetic pockets 25 on side 45 or side 50. It is to beunderstood that mastectomy swim shirt 5 is not limited to fasteningmeans 30 disposed on one side 45 or side 50 of mastectomy swim shirt 5but may be disposed on other locations such as front side 65 and/or backside (not illustrated) of mastectomy swim shirt 5. In some embodiments(not illustrated), mastectomy swim shirt 5 may have fastening means 30disposed on both opposing sides 45, 50 of mastectomy swim shirt 5. In anembodiment, fastening means 30 (i.e., zipper) may be moveable up and/ordown along side 45 (or side 50).

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of mastectomy swim shirt 5 havingneckline fastening means 35. Neckline fastening means 35 may include anysuitable means for fastening two edges of material of shirt body 10together. Without limitation, examples of suitable neckline fasteningmeans 35 include a zipper, buttons, hooks and fasteners, and the like.In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, neckline fastening means 35is a zipper. In an embodiment as illustrated, neckline fastening means35 extends from about prosthetic pockets 25 to about neckline 70. Inalternative embodiments (not illustrated), neckline fastening means 35may extend from any suitable position between prosthetic pockets 25 (oralternatively breast prosthetics) to about neckline 70.

Mastectomy swim shirt 5 may have any desirable configuration of neckline70. In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1, mastectomy swim shirt 5has a scoop neck configuration for neckline 70. FIG. 2 illustrates anembodiment in which mastectomy swim shirt 5 has a turtleneckconfiguration for neckline 70. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment in whichmastectomy swim shirt 5 has a v-neck configuration for neckline 70. Inan embodiment as illustrated, neckline 70 extends about the perimeter ofneck opening 20.

In embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, mastectomy swim shirt 5 hasshirt sleeves 15 that extend to about a wrist of a person wearingmastectomy swim shirt 5. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated),mastectomy swim shirt 5 has shirt sleeves 15 that expose a portion orsubstantially all of the arms of a person wearing mastectomy swim shirt5.

In some embodiments, mastectomy swim shirt 5 has rash guards (notillustrated). The rash guards may be composed of any suitable materialand have any suitable configuration for facilitating prevention of arash on a person wearing mastectomy swim shirt 5. In an embodiment, therash guards are sufficiently disposed to facilitate prevention of a rashfrom contact between the arm and torso of a person wearing mastectomyswim shirt 5.

It is to be understood that the mastectomy swim shirt 5 is not limitedfor wear with mastectomy sufferers but may be worn by any persondesiring to wear mastectomy swim shirt 5.

Advantages of mastectomy swim shirt 5 include comfortable, stylishactive wear for women who have had a mastectomy. Further advantagesinclude an easy on/off for women with recent mastectomy surgery and thatmay have restricted arm movement. Additional advantages include extracoverage for women undergoing radiation and desiring to cover radiationmarkings. In addition, advantages include freedom from a bra or swimsuitcombined with a t-shirt. Moreover, advantages include providing maximumcoverage to hide surgical scars. Further, advantages include mitigationof UV exposure and protection from the potential hazards that suchexposure may present in causing cancer such as skin cancer.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mastectomy swim shirt, comprising: a shirt bodycomprising a material, wherein the material comprises an ultravioletprotection factor rating; a fastening means disposed on a side of theshirt body; and a breast prosthetic.
 2. The mastectomy swim shirt ofclaim 1, wherein the mastectomy swim shirt comprises shirt sleeves. 3.The mastectomy swim shirt of claim 1, wherein the material comprisesmesh, fabric, or any combinations thereof.
 4. The mastectomy swim shirtof claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet protection factor rating is about 50and over.
 5. The mastectomy swim shirt of claim 1, further comprising aprosthetic pocket.
 6. The mastectomy swim shirt of claim 5, wherein theprosthetic pocket is disposed within the material of the shirt body. 7.The mastectomy swim shirt of claim 5, wherein the prosthetic pocketcomprises mesh, fabric, or any combinations thereof.
 8. The mastectomyswim shirt of claim 5, wherein the breast prosthetic is disposed withinthe prosthetic pocket.
 9. The mastectomy swim shirt of claim 8, whereinthe breast prosthetic is insertable to the prosthetic pocket andremovable from the prosthetic pocket.
 10. The mastectomy swim shirt ofclaim 9, wherein the mastectomy swim shirt comprises an opening, whereinthe breast prosthetic is insertable to the prosthetic pocket andremovable from the prosthetic pocket through the opening.
 11. Themastectomy swim shirt of claim 1, wherein the breast prosthetic issecured to the mastectomy swim shirt.
 12. The mastectomy swim shirt ofclaim 1, further comprising a bra.
 13. The mastectomy swim shirt ofclaim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises a zipper.
 14. Themastectomy swim shirt of claim 1, wherein the fastening means extendsfrom a bottom of the shirt body to a position along the side of theshirt body.
 15. The mastectomy swim shirt of claim 1, further comprisinga second fastening means, wherein the second fastening means is disposedon an opposing side of the shirt body from the fastening means.
 16. Themastectomy swim shirt of claim 1, further comprising a necklinefastening means.
 17. The mastectomy swim shirt of claim 16, wherein theneckline fastening means comprises a zipper.
 18. The mastectomy swimshirt of claim 16, wherein the neckline fastening extends to about aneckline of the mastectomy swim shirt.
 19. The mastectomy swim shirt ofclaim 1, further comprising a rash guard.
 20. A method for increasingsun protection of the mastectomy swim shirt of claim 1, wherein themethod comprises selecting colors of the material to provide for maximumsun protection.